Epcot promises to be a spectacle for visitors to this year’s Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
Thirty million blooms, half a million plants, dozens of Disney character topiaries and 1,000 butterflies add up to a wonderful world of theme park color at the 18th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, March 2-May 15 at Walt Disney World Resort.
Among this year’s fun festival facts:
30 million blooms blanket the park throughout the festival, which runs 75 colorful days.
Dozens of Disney character topiaries represent the largest collection of Disney character topiary in the world and include classic film stars like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Cinderella and Tinker Bell.
1,000 native butterflies represent up to 10 species at the larger-than-ever Bambi Butterfly House. Among the garden’s two dozen nectar plants are Cape Royal plumbago, passion flower, coral honeysuckle, blazing star, butterfly bush, scarlet milkweed and canna lily.
More than 500,000 plants, trees and shrubs are planted for the festival; 250,000 of those are annual blossoms installed for the festival.
Festival plants include 60 different species of trees, 47 types of palms, and 48 varieties of bedding plants.
At least 25 different plants, grasses and mosses of various colors, including pink and red begonias, dusty miller, palm fiber, palm seeds, ficus and lichen, are used to create and define features of the festival topiaries. More color has been added to the topiaries than in any previous topiary presentation.
More than 15 floral, herbal and spice ingredients of 8 popular perfumes are revealed in the Fragrance Garden presented by Guerlain at the France pavilion. Guests can sniff the enduring fragrance Shalimar to discover botanical notes that include lemon, Arabian jasmine and vanilla. Some components of the other Guerlain fragrances include mimosa, magnolia, rose, nutmeg and vetivergrass.
198 hands-on gardening demonstrations and seminars will be presented.
Thirty “flower towers” of impatiens line Innoventions Plaza.
240 floating mini-gardens, each three feet in diameter, of multi-hued impatiens provide splashes of color on two ponds that border the walkway between Future World and World Showcase.
700 container gardens of flowers, herbs, plants and vegetables in clay pots, barrels and urns enhance the landscape throughout Epcot.
400 Walt Disney World horticulturists are needed to install the festival landscape, topiaries and many exhibits; 100 Epcot horticulturists maintain topiaries and other festival displays.
It takes more than one full year and about 24,000 cast member hours to prepare for the annual festival.
The festival’s weekend Flower Power concert series includes 11 artists and groups with 133 Top 40 hits, including 16 No. 1 songs. This year’s musical hit-makers from the 1960s and ’70s include Jose Feliciano, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Melissa Manchester, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone, Ricky Nelson Remembered Featuring the Nelsons, Davy Jones, Juice Newton, The Guess Who, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. and Chubby Checker & The Wildcats.
Guest information for the 18th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is available at disneyworld.com/flower or at 407/W-DISNEY.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Guests celebrating the Fourth of July at Walt Disney World Resort will have a choice of fireworks shows as Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios present special pyrotechnics, and Epcot adds a patriotic “tag” to its famous “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” spectacular. Here’s what’s in store (entertainment and park hours are subject to change without notice):
Magic Kingdom – “Celebrate America Fireworks” will fill the sky at 9 p.m. July 4 (guests who’d like to begin the celebratory weekend a day early can enjoy the special fireworks on July 3 at 9 p.m.). After the fireworks, guests can enjoy Disney’s “Main Street Electrical Parade” of lights, music and magic at 10 p.m. and midnight on July 4 (on July 3, the parade will be at 10:30 p.m.). Park hours on July 4 are 8 a.m.-1 a.m.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Special fireworks set to a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack will be presented at 9:50 p.m. on July 4, providing guests with a bonus nighttime entertainment extravaganza to complement “Fantasmic!” (which will be at 9 and 10:30 p.m.). Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Epcot – “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” which features dazzling special effects, colorful lasers, brilliant fireworks, and fiery torches all choreographed to a musical score, becomes even more dynamic on July 4 as the normal show is supplemented with a patriotic finale. The performance begins at 10 p.m. Earlier in the day, guests will be treated to the Voices of Liberty 4th of July Concert – featuring an expanded cast of singers plus the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps and Disney characters – at 12:30, 1:45 and 3 p.m. on the America Gardens Theatre stage. Park hours on July 4 are 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Guests can enjoy all the regular attractions and shows on July 4 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
In honor of Valentines Day, the chefs at Disney’s Turf Club at the Saratoga Springs Resort shared the recipe for their Chocolate Espresso Torte on the Disney blog.
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Disney’s Turf Club Chocolate Espresso Torte
Makes one 9-inch torte
1 1/2 sticks butter, softened, plus additional softened butter for greasing pan
3/4 cup sugar, plus additional sugar for dusting pan
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
5 eggs at room temperature, beaten
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup prepared espresso
For Torte:
Preheat oven to 300º with oven rack in middle position. Wrap a 9-inch springform pan in plastic wrap, then wrap tightly with a layer of heavy-duty foil. Generously butter pan. Dust pan with sugar, tapping out excess. Place prepared pan in a roasting pan; set aside.
Combine 3/4 cup sugar and prepared espresso in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
Place chocolate in a large bowl set over a large saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Stir occasionally until just melted. Add butter by the tablespoonful, stirring until combined. Stir in espresso syrup and vanilla extract. Set aside to cool slightly, 4 to 5 minutes. Gently stir in eggs until combined.
Pour batter into prepared springform pan. Pour boiling-hot water into roasting pan until it reaches three-quarters of the way up the of springform pan. Bake until center of torte is almost set, but still wobbles just slightly, about 45 to 50 minutes.
Transfer torte to a wire rack to cool completely. Refrigerate, covered, for 8 hours or overnight.
For Ganache:
Place chocolate in a medium bowl set over a medium saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Stir occasionally until melted. Set aside to cool slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Add butter by the tablespoonful, stirring until combined and glossy. Use immediately.
To Serve:
Run a thin knife along edge of chilled torte, and remove springform pan ring. Set torte on a wire rack set over a sheet pan. Pour ganache over torte, a bit at a time, spreading with a rubber or offset spatula to cover top. Allow excess to drip down sides, if desired. Place torte on a platter or sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until set, approximately 2 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
For Miniature Heart-Shaped Tortes:
Cut individual tortes from large torte using a heart-shaped cutter. Carefully dip each heart into ganache using two forks, letting excess drip off. Set hearts on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and refrigerate until set, approximately 2 hours. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.
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Looks yummy!
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
Early June 2010 sees the return of Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade to the Magic Kingdom. Since 2001, this amazing parade has been seasonally wowing guests at Disneyland in Anaheim. Part of the 2010 ‘Summer Nightastic’, Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade is sure to be a big hit. Tinkerbell will lead the parade in a magical balloon float. Pinocchio and Snow White also join the parade this year in new floats.
If you have not seen this parade before, make the time to do so. It is well worth it, certainly a magical parade to watch.
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
Do you plan to welcome the New Year at one of the Disney Parks? If so there’s a lot to choose from this year — nine parade performances and five fireworks shows. If that lineup has your attention, here are the New Year’s Eve details broken down by park:
Magic Kingdom
“Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!” parade and street party (11 a.m., 2 and 5:15 p.m.)
“Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” (12 noon and 3:30 p.m.)
“SpectroMagic” parade of lights and music (7 and 10:30 p.m.)
“Holiday Wishes” fireworks (8:30 p.m.)
“Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks (11:50 p.m.)
Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m.-2 a.m.
Epcot
Special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” (7:30 and 11:40 p.m.)
Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 9 a.m.-1 a.m.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
“Fantasmic!” nighttime musical special effects extravaganza (6:30, 8 and 10 p.m.)
Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears,” back-to-back with a DJ at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat. (Mulch, Sweat and Shears sets are 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m.; DJ starts at 6:30 p.m.)
A special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks show starring Mulch, Sweat and Shears (11:55 p.m.)
Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m.-midnight
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
“Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade” (4:45 p.m.)
Park hours on New Year’s Eve: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Bay Lake And Seven Seas Lagoon
The Electrical Water Pageant (9 p.m.; plays to Magic Kingdom entrance area at 10:25 p.m.)
Note: Show times and entertainment are subject to change without notice.
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
Guests staying at the Emerald Island Resort in Kissimmee over New Year, you may be interested in two offerings at The Magic Kingdom.
New Years Eve at Walt Disney World is traditionally a busy time. This year, The Magic Kingdom is offering two options for guests to take a break from the crowds and enjoy an exclusive event.
The first is a special New Years Eve package which includes a 2 hour all you care to enjoy dinner. The dinner is from 6.30 p.m. - 8.30 p.m. on December 31st at the Tommorrowland Terrace Noodle Station. Dinner includes dessert and non-alcolohic sparkling beverages. After dinner, you and your family will settle down in exclusive, reserved seating for the holiday Wishes! fireworks show.
The menu includes fresh fruits, assorted cheeses, sushi, salads, seared tuna, artisan breads, beef short-ribs, and carved pork. Kid friendly foods such as macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets will also be available.
The Magic Kingdom’s New Year’s Eve Wishes! dining experience costs $139.99 for guests age 10 and up and $69.99 for guests ages 3 to 9. Children under 3 can dine for free.
The second offering is the Fantasy in the Sky Dessert Party which starts at 9.50pm. This event features a self service buffet offering a variety of deserts and non-alcoholic beverages. The dessert party costs $35.99 for guests age 10 and up and $19.99 for guests ages 3 to 9.
Staying at Emerald Island Resort? MNSSHP is a great family event.
If you are visiting the Emerald Island Resort in October. Its a great time to visit with cooler temperatures and smaller crowds than in summer time.
Throughout the month of October, there are plenty of events to get you in the mood for Halloween.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at The Magic Kingdom is open select evenings during October. Join Mickey, Minnie and friends for some family friendly Halloween fun, special Halloween fireworks and parade. Come dressed in costume (or not) and join in the fun. This event has a separate entry ticket.
Seaworld’s Halloween Spooktacular is another family friendly Halloween event that runs weekends in October. Kids are welcome to come dressed in costume and trick or treat for ghoulish goodies, catch spooky shows and meet amazing sea creatures. Seaworld’s Halloween Spooktacular is included with park admission. Take a look at their spooktacular website for some ghoulish crafts and games.
Not for the feint of heart are Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. On select nights Universal Studios Florida theme park is transformed into a nightmarish labyrinth of haunted houses, outrageous live shows, and electrifying scare zones while an army of mutants, monsters and maniacs roam the darkened studio streets.
From professional to passionate! Located in the town of Davenport, about 30 minutes from Emerald Island / Orlando finds The Bludzwurth Casket & Urn Company. This is a family passion and not a huge corporation event fueled by profits. For a modest donation, you can walk through the The Bludzwurth Casket & Urn Company on the 30th and 31st of October when the Doctor is in!
What about All Hallow’s eve itself? If visiting the area and you want to go trick or treating on October 31st, try the town of Celebration. Its a real treat! From traditional door to door trick or treating to a haunted walking trail, Celebration has something to offer the whole family. The Trail of Nightmares haunted walking trail is new to Celebration this year. The proceeds benefit a local charity.
Fall is upon us and soon it will be Halloween. But in Orlando, Halloween goes on for most of October (and for a little of September as well).
What kind of Halloween do you and your family like? If you have teenagers, then you may be interested in Universal Studio’s offering “Halloween Horror Nights“. As the name suggests, Halloween Horror Nights is not for the feint of heart, but if you like to be scared witless, then you will probably enjoy it. It is a separate ticketed event held on certain nights in October (usually Thursday - Sunday) and is promoted as “the best in the business” “the ultimate halloween horror experience”. Universal Studios is open for business as usual during the day so you can still plan your regular day visit to Universal, but you will see the sets and decorations for the Halloween Horror Nights. Regular tickets are $69.99 plus tax, but Universal are offering a frequent fear pass - 13 nights for the price of on which may work out better value for you if you are staying in the area a while.
Obviously that is not an option if you have younger children. Thankfully there are other altenatives.
For Disney fans, you have “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party” also known as “MNSSHP”. Again, this is an after hours ticketed event. It is held at the Magic Kingdom and is halloween with a sprinkle of pixie dust! There is a special parade, fireworks, costumed characters. Trick or Treats stations are set up around the park as well as some craft activities. Most of the rides are open and on most days there is usually little wait for the rides. Kids and adults are encouraged to dress up. There are very few times that the whole family can dress up and wander round The Magic Kingdom - get into the spirit of it and enjoy! We did!
Just a few things of note.
If you plan to visit The Magic Kingdom on a day that MHSSHP is scheduled, the park is closed early to guests without event tickets. Take that into account when planning your day.
Prepare for a late night! MNSSHP finishes at midnight. By the time you get back to Emerald Island, it will be at least half an hour later, if not more. I recommend planning a lazy day for the next day - no early morning starts for the parks!
MNSSHP is scheduled to start at 7.00 p.m. but in previous years other guests have reported being able to get into The Magic Kingdom at 4pm - this essentially allows you to have an extra few hours of Disney fun. Its worth checking with Disney if this is still available.
We took our two children and our neice and nephew one year and had a great time. We walked on to almost all of the rides with no more than a 5 minute wait. Yes, we did dress up, and it was great fun. The kids had a great time and all managed to stay awake until midnight (with the exception of our youngest daughter who was only 5 weeks old at the time!). I just wish I had known about being able to get in earlier than 7pm when we went.
Our last spooky park is Seaworld’ During October, they hold their Halloween Spooktacular. Unlike the other two offerings, Seaworld’s Halloween Spooktacular is included in your regular park entry ticket.
They also offer Count Von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast - a character breakfast with your favorite Sesame Street Characters.
